January 30, 2013, 10:04AM

Randy Moss 2012 stats: 28 receptions, 434 yards, 3 TDs This one could be wishful thinking, but Moss could be a solid candidate for a return. He emerged as a solid teammate in San Francisco this season after his tenure in New England ended abruptly in 2010. Moss still possesses some vertical ability and would be a big upgrade over...

January 30, 2013, 10:04AM

Mike Wallace 2012 stats: 64 receptions, 836 yards, 8 TDs Wallace won't be a cheap date, but he may be more affordable after a holdout negatively impacted his 2012 season. Wallace emerged as one of the game's premier deep threats in 2010 and 2011 by making 24 receptions on balls thrown 20 or more yards down the field. He had...

January 30, 2013, 10:04AM

Plaxico Burress 2012 stats: 3 receptions, 42 yards, 1 TD Burress is a big body that can do damage in the red zone, but if the Patriots wanted him, they could have had him last season. In fact, anyone could have, but he lingered on the free-agent market until Pittsburgh scooped him up at the end of the season. The...

January 30, 2013, 10:04AM

Greg Jennings 2012 stats: 36 receptions, 366 yards, 4 TDs Jennings had a tumultuous season in Green Bay. He struggled to get healthy after an early groin injury and found himself fighting with Randall Cobb, James Jones and Jordy Nelson for catches by the end of the year. He could be a hit in New England, but there have been...

January 30, 2013, 10:04AM

Dwayne Bowe 2012 stats: 59 receptions, 801 yards, 3 TDs It seems unlikely that Bowe will remain in Kansas City after expressing a desire to break free of the Chiefs earlier this season. His big, strong body would be a welcome addition on the outside, however the price will be steep. With big money already tied up in tight ends...

January 30, 2013, 10:04AM

Danny Amendola 2012 stats: 63 receptions, 666 yards, 3 TD Amendola has been one of the most productive slot receivers in the NFL over the last few seasons, so many just assumed that New England would make a run at him once Wes Welker's contract expired. Amendola would be a great fit in the offense. The only problem: He is...

January 30, 2013, 10:04AM

Brian Hartline 2012 stats: 74 receptions, 1,083 yards, 1 TD Believe it or not, Hartline was one of the better vertical threats in football last season, and finished tied with Chicago’s Brandon Marshall with 11 receptions on passes thrown 20 or more yards down the field. He could fit the bill as a vertical threat, but his inability to get...

November 01, 2012, 10:14AM

Wide receivers: B This one should actually read: "Wes Welker A; Everyone else: C-." Welker is again on pace for 120 catches and 1,400 yards, but the rest of the group has been subpar. Deion Branch is a step slower than last year, Julian Edelman has been either injured or ineffective and Brandon Lloyd has been dreadfully inconsistent. There's still...

November 01, 2012, 10:14AM

Quarterbacks: B The raw numbers make this grade hard to justify since Tom Brady is on pace to throw for 4,816 yards, 32 touchdowns and six interceptions. The only other time in his career that he threw for that many yards with less than 10 picks was during the 2007 season. On paper, that should put him at the top...

November 01, 2012, 10:14AM

Running backs: A You'd have to go back to the Corey Dillion to find the last time people believed in the Patriots' ability to run the ball. Well, that is until now. Behind second-year back Stevan Ridley, New England has become one of the more efficient running teams in the NFL and currently ranks fifth with an average of 149.6...

November 01, 2012, 10:14AM

Tight ends: Incomplete Aaron Hernandez missed most of the first half with an ankle injury. Rob Gronkowski was slowed with a bad hip for the better part of six games, but appears to be nearing a return to his 2011 form. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

November 01, 2012, 10:14AM

Offensive line: B For all the commotion about the offensive line during training camp, the group has been solid, even with left guard Logan Mankins battling a series of injuries. Tackles Nate Solder and Sebastian Vollmer have done a terrific job at both ends of the line, anchoring a line that has 86 pressures and nine sacks. Overall, this group...

November 01, 2012, 10:14AM

Cornerbacks/Safeties: F There's no need to relive the gory details. The summary paints a grim enough picture: 281 passing yards allowed per game, 42 plays of 15 or more yards allowed, made New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez look like a star. This group can get better, but it will continue to be held back until the cornerbacks learn how...

November 01, 2012, 10:14AM

Defensive line: B- This is a tough one to grade. Individually, Rob Ninkovich, Vince Wilfork, Kyle Love and Chandler Jones have been impressive in various facets of the game. Ninkovich has made several key plays and may be the MVP of the defense, while Jones (six sacks) is currently the runaway choice for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Wilfork remains...

November 01, 2012, 10:14AM

Linebackers: B This group has been better than expected. Brandon Spikes has shown a good nose for the ball and Jerod Mayo is quietly competing for the league lead in tackles. Rookie Dont'a Hightower has had some issues, but his overall performance has been above average. The group is far from perfect, and each player brings some sort of liability...

November 01, 2012, 10:14AM

If you've spent any amount of time reading or listening to the media, you're likely under the impression that the New England Patriots are destined to languish in mediocrity. Or you may just think that everyone working in the New England media needs to take pack a bag, go spend a week in Cleveland to gain some perspective and come...

July 24, 2012, 3:09PM

Matt Light retires The Patriots locker room will certainly be a lot quieter now that Matt Light has retired. More importantly, Tom Brady’s blind side will also now be vulnerable. Nate Solder showed glimmers of promise last season filling in at various spots across the line, but now he’s going to have transform into a stalwart if Brady is to...

July 24, 2012, 3:09PM

John Harbaugh calls Patriots titles tainted, backs off John Harbaugh quickly learned that famous figures should never speak their minds in this age of media. Speaking to a local radio station in Baltimore, the Ravens coach remarked that cheating is never worth it because your accomplishments will be rendered meaningless when the details come to light. To illustrate his point,...

July 24, 2012, 3:09PM

Kevin Faulk: Not retiring yet Despite his constant campaigning, it looks like the Patriots are ready to be done with Faulk. He had little impact last season and was made inactive for the Super Bowl. Now it looks like his career will be made inactive. Faulk has told anyone who will listen that he’d like to return for another season,...

July 24, 2012, 3:09PM

Revis calls Belichick ignorant Revis would have had a valid point if he knew when to shut his mouth. Yes, Belichick acted like a jerk by saying that the Jets that they can “suck my d---“ following a 37-16 victory at MetLife Stadium last season. That was wrong. But according to Revis’ logic, it was OK for Antonio Cromartie to...